Crvena Zvezda 79-89 FC Barcelona: Statement win
A great win for the Barça basketball team on Friday with an 89-79 win over Crvena Zvezda in the Belgrade Arena, taking their streak to six wins in their last seven matches. In the Euroleague the blaugranes now stand 9-5 in the table with momentum on their side.
Direct from the start
At a court where only one visiting had won so far this season in the Euroleague, Barça started off in direct fashion and took an early 15-4 lead to set the tone. In the second quarter Clyburn was unstoppable, taking the visitors' lead from 21-17 at the start of the period to 46-39 at half time. The Serbians had come back in the quarter to level things up but at the break they were looking at a seven point deficit going into the second half.
Step forward
After the break it was Juani Marcos who lead the side with Satoransky in foul trouble. Barça extended their lead to 52-42 only for Crvena to score 10 unanswered points to bring it back to 52-52. For Barça Norris led the defensive effort and Brizuela added the points on offense. Going into the final quarter, Xavi Pascual's team were 63-57 ahead with the game still very much alive. Norris continued to make his presence felt at both ends of the court as Shengalia and Punter racked up the points to take Barça 74-62 ahead.
Two games in the Palau
Barça were able to close out an impressive 89-79 win to take their record to 9 wins and 5 defeats this season in Europe with two games coming up at the Pala: first against Morabanc Andorra in e league and then against Olympiacos on Friday 12 December in the Euroleague.
MATCH STATS
Crvena Zvezda: 79
Barça: 89
Crvena Zvezda: Miller-McIntyre (19), Moneke (15), Nwora (12), Dobric (2) and Motiejunas (4) - starting five - Miljenovic (-), Graham (4), Butler (4), Davidovac (0), Kalinic (10), Izundu (-) and Ojeleye (9)
Barça: Satoransky (2), Punter (14), Clyburn (22), Shengelia (15) and Vesely (6) - starting five - Juani Marcos (4), Cale (0), Norris (4), Brizuela (17), Hernangómez (0), Fall (-) and Parra (5).